Gene Niswonger

Gene A. Niswonger MADISON - Gene A. Niswonger, 69, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo. Gene was born Aug. 11, 1939, in Buchanon County, Iowa, the son of Harold and Isabelle (Atwood) Niswonger. He married Sandra Anderson Aug. 3, 1958, in Rowley, Iowa. Gene was a police officer in his home town of Independence, Iowa, before he was hired by the Collins Radio Co. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as a computer programer. He relocated his family out east where he worked as a systems analyst for SDC and ISSI. Gene later became involved in graphics and 3M Corp. and owned a company Auto Trim Design with his three sons, Kris, Mark and Eric. After relocating back to the Midwest in 1981, Gene bought two graphic companies, one located in Iowa and the second in Madison where they settled for the past 25 years. Gene shared a love for aviation with his sons, Kris and Eric. Gene and Eric established a company, Air Graphics of Middleton, where Gene worked as co-owner and marketing manager until his death. Gene loved public relations, marketing, customer relations and personally became a friend to all. He will be sadly missed by his family and his many business friends. Gene is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra Niswonger of Madison; his children, Kris (Susan) Niswonger of San Antonio, Texas, Mark (Tammy) Niswonger of Belleville, Wis., Kerry (Phil) Heinecke of Mosinee, Wis., Robyn (Kenny) Shingler of Shawano, Wis., and Eric (Debbie) Niswonger of Verona, Wis.; his 12 grandchildren, Aaron, Heather, Jesse, Alexandra, Alex, Stephanie, Alex, Hannah, Anna Mae, Paul, Ethan and Sophia; his two great-grandchildren, Wisdom and Javanni; and his sister, Mary Kangas of Waterloo, Iowa. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Isabelle; and his brother, John Niswonger. A funeral will be held at Gunderson West Funeral Home, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 1 p.m. Wednesday with Jordan Jaeger presiding. Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. Tuesday and also from noon until the time of the service Wednesday at the funeral home. A memorial fund will be established at a later date in Gene's memory. (608) 831-6761, gundersonfh.com.